Canker sores can be said to be a disease of "a million people", because almost everyone has experienced it, at least once in their lifetime. Although relatively common, sometimes canker sores cause pain and discomfort.
The thing that must be underlined, canker sores can be caused by many things. For example, canker sores can be triggered by injuries to the inner lining of the mouth, hormonal changes, viral infections, and certain medical conditions.
So, here are the diseases that can be characterized by canker sores, including:
1. Gingivostomatitis
Gingivostomatitis is an infection of the mouth and gums that causes swelling and sores. This disease can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Most gingivostomatitis occurs in children.
Gingivostomatitis can be caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or coxsackie virus. In addition, canker sores on the lips due to gingivostomatitis are prone to occur in people with poor oral hygiene
2. Lichen planus
Ever heard of a disease called lichen planus (LP)? If not, it's not surprising, because this disease is relatively rare. The incidence rate is about 1 in 5000 people.
Lichen planus is inflammation of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes (mucosa) such as the mouth or vagina. When it attacks the mouth, this disease can occur in the oral cavity such as the inner cheeks, gums or tongue. Although tissue occurs, lichen planus in the mouth can cause ulcers or canker sores on the lips.
3. Autoimmune disease
Another cause of canker sores that must be watched is autoimmune disease. People with autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease, lupus, Behcet's disease, pemphigus vulgaris, or rheumatoid arthritis also often experience canker sores on the lips.
4. Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia triggers canker sores on the lips. The disease causes white or gray patches on the gums, tongue, inside of the cheeks, and on the floor of the mouth. These spots appear when the mouth reacts to irritation, for example due to smoking habits. These patches may develop slowly over weeks or months.
5. Other Medical Conditions
Apart from the five things above, canker sores on the lips can also be caused by various other diseases. For example, celiac disease, a weakened immune system (for example, people with HIV), iron or vitamin B12 deficiency, or viral infections such as hand, foot and mouth disease.
6. Mouth Cancer
Want to know one of the symptoms of oral cancer? It turns out that canker sores on the lips that don't go away for several weeks can be a sign of oral cancer.
These mouth cancer canker sores appear reddish or whitish which is accompanied by pain. In some cases, oral cancer canker sores also make it difficult for the sufferer to speak, swallow, or cause numbness of the lips and mouth.
Canker sores don't heal? Don't Underestimate
Canker sores need time to heal by themselves. Approximately 2-4 weeks, depending on the wound. For example, injuries due to trauma (teeth, rubbed by sharp objects) can make inflammation tend not to subside. However, if things happen that trigger irritation to inflammation, you need to be vigilant. This could be a sign of an illness.
In addition, people with anemia are usually susceptible to thrush. HIV sufferers who have a low immune system and are prone to thrush. If these canker sores often recur or don't heal, you should ask your doctor for more appropriate treatment.